To assist in the maintenance of a safe environment for all people within the Trust by providing guidance on the control of access to dangerous items or substances with due regard for the dignity of the patient concerned.

The risk of transmission of blood borne viruses is greater from patient to healthcare workers than vice versa. Occupational risk of transmission arises from possible exposure to contaminated blood or other body fluids from an infected patient.

The purpose of this SOP is to give guidance to staff to enable the management of beds with the adult inpatient mental health service and ensure compliance with same sex accommodation legislation within those wards that have a mixed population of males and females.